I remember when a long time ago, my daughters were younger; we used to go to the mountain during the summer to visit my parents-in-law and spend the weekend with them.
The trip used to take around two hours and a half of drive. We headed from Beirut to North Lebanon. We passed by Jounieh, Chekka, Tripoli, and Akkar.
As we had a long drive, I used to invent mental games for my daughters not to feel bored and to enjoy the view. While driving, passing by the vast fields, I used to tell them: “look, look around you high mountains and the green trees. Look at the yields and how they are divided and colored into different colors, from light to dark green to yellow and brown. Look at the clear sky and how the sun is shining. Look how the bees are flying, jumping from one flower to another. Look how the cows and the sheep are eating the grass peacefully.”
– Are you looking carefully?
– Yeah, mom. Nature is so beautiful, especially these magnificent creatures.
– Good, because when we reach the house, you’re going to write an essay.
– Mooooooooooom, oh noooooo!!!! We don’t want to (they started shouting at me).
We kept doing this every time we go to visit our village even after I started my atelier.
One day, as usual, we decided to spend the weekend on the mountain. After a long drive, we reached the fields of Akkar, where my daughters started describing the view, nature, the animals, and the insects when they suddenly said: “Mom, are you looking carefully?”
– I replied: Yes, I am.
– Good, because when we reach home, you’re going to draw a painting :))
Ha Ha Ha. We laughed a lot. They paid it back!!!
Created by Latifa El Hachem.
